Innholdsfortegnelse for January - February 2016 i Southern Lady

Dear Friends Turning the page to a new year always fills me with such a delightful sense of possibility, from planning get-togethers with family and friends to easy décor updates that make my home sparkle. One of my favorite ways to freshen a room is to bring in cut flowers, and I adore the sunny bouquet created for our cover and this installment of In Bloom (page 27). The blossoms simply glow against that beautiful blue-and-white container—what a lovely scene! Of course, my fondness for monograms is well known, and a few little accents around my house are just begging for a personalized touch. So I was happy to find so many gorgeous ideas in Kimberly Schlegel Whitman’s latest book, Monograms for the Home (page 43). If you’re dreaming of…

SHINE ON Complete any space with this frosted-glass table lamp in a bright aqua finish. Scavo Table Lamp with Classic Open Cone Shade, $550; Jamie Young, jamieyoung.com. COME CLEAN A woven grid gives these organic cotton towels visual interest and extra drying power. Modern Grid Kitchen Towels, $18–$48; Coyuchi, coyuchi.com. TUSCAN INFLUENCE Bring romantic style to your home with this Italian ceramic vase featuring a rich metallic iridescent glaze. Lustro Round Vase, $439; Arte Italica, arteitalica.com. DREAM AWAY Drift off to sleep in style with crisp white Egyptian cotton sheeting and an elegant monogram. Santorini, $250–$1,790; Leron, leron.com. TOP IT OFF These finials in powder-coated metal are like jewelry for your lamps. Eye Candy Collections, $40–$50; Hillary Thomas, hillarythomas.com.…

THE INSPIRATION Featuring an eye-catching border of diamonds, this B by Brandie dinner plate introduces turquoise as a modern—and frost-kissed—twist on the traditional palette of blue and white. 1 CASUAL POSSIBILITIES Lend warmth to the turquoise-and-white dinnerware with a luxe cayenne-colored velvet place mat. The ruffled edges of a glass charger and white salad plate offer a delicate contrast to the crisp lines of the inspiration plate’s harlequin border. Bring in other hints of sparkle with gilt flatware and gold-patterned napkins. 2 ELEGANT OPTIONS Embrace blustery days with elements that echo snowflakes, from a coordinating diamond salad plate to cut-crystal wineglasses to embroidered linens. Add to the enchantment with flatware that captures the magic of falling snow with its flecks of suspended gold.…

No matter how simple, a wintertime table becomes simply enchanting in the soft glow of candlelight. Gather a group of mercury-glass candleholders in varied heights, and introduce rich color and texture with blue velvet ribbon secured around each with a dab of fabric glue. A miniature pinecone, sprayed lightly with white paint for a frosted effect, adds the finishing touch. Use the gussied-up containers to lend sparkle to an everyday setting or as an effortlessly elegant centerpiece for a special occasion.…

The ebb and flow of the seasons opens our eyes to the beauty of the world around us. In winter, a seemingly stark landscape reveals elegant bare branches cradling neatly coiled birds’ nests, and an overnight snowfall transforms ordinary houses into crystallized castles. It’s no wonder interior designers often look to nature for inspiration. I have always admired the work of Rebecca Vizard, the creative force behind B. VIZ Design. She and her staff make the most gorgeous pillows and accessories from antique textiles she gathers from around the world. Louisiana-born and raised, Rebecca and her family now live on Locustland Plantation, just a few miles from where she grew up. Her home is absolutely breathtaking, from the artistically twined trees that form a path to the front door to…

Designer Patricia McLean has always loved history—the romantic landscapes of 18th-century painters and the blissful character of banquet Napoleon chairs. Both offered inspiration for her latest design in the Atlanta Symphony Associates’ Decorators Show House, but it was another historical element that enticed and delighted. “It was all about the fabric,” says Patricia. Based on a quaint French floral motif, Canton Rose Aegean by Duralee Fabric introduces a palette of blues, greens, and yellows to the historic pattern. The print feels at once timeless and fresh, lending its delightfully feminine design to draperies, bedding, upholstery, and even book jackets. Indeed, history blossomed as Patricia paired her own brand of whimsical Southern flair—which she calls “au courant Southern”—with traditional elements of design. Antique mahogany bedside tables provide palatial elegance, while 18th-century…

One of the best things about this time of year is the exhilarating notion of a fresh start. So much promise and wonder are wrapped up in the turning of the calendar—and that’s also how I feel in presenting my first issue as editor. Of course, this annual decorating edition has been many months in the making, and we’re eager to share all we’ve been planning to help fill your new beginning with beauty and inspiration. Blue-Ribbon Delights One of the first things I picked up when I joined the Southern Lady staff eight years ago is an affinity for blue and white. It was such an instant attachment—I think I may have loved that pairing my whole life and just didn’t quite know it yet! This issue is filled…

It all started five years ago with a simple mother-daughter stroll during a lovely late-spring visit to New York City. While perusing shops in the SoHo district, author Karen Kingsbury and daughter Kelsey Kupecky spotted a set of cards in a window display. Kelsey stopped, struck by the idea of creating a greeting card line with her mother. The words could come from Karen’s books, Kelsey thought, and she could do the design work. “We talked for a little while longer, dreaming about the possibilities,” Karen says. Through that dreaming, DaySpring’s Possibilities card and gift line was born. The well-matched pair divided the initial work needed to get the venture off the ground. Karen pored through her novels to select evocative quotes, while Kelsey sorted through tens of thousands of…

Phoebe Howard is one of the greatest design success stories in recent memory. Her star has not so much risen as it has shot skyward, propelled by her tailored, timeless aesthetic and impeccable eye for color and form—plus a healthy dose of business savvy. But as a stay-at-home mom in the late 1990s, with no formal design training or background, she’d have been as surprised as anyone to learn that a simple idea for boosting her husband’s interiors firm would launch such a prolific career. “My whole segue into being a designer was a complete accident,” says Phoebe, who is based in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. “It just happened naturally.” As she observed husband Jim working with clients on architectural and design plans, “it occurred to me that people didn’t always…

To look at this colorful folk-Victorian—lovingly referred to by its owners as the “house with the purple door”—you would never guess it was once slated for demolition to make way for a bank. “They were going to build on that whole block, and they gave the house to the local historical society for anyone who would agree to move it,” says homeowner Cecile Morgan. Over years of neglect, the house had been stripped of everything. “There was no hardware; there were no light fixtures—there weren’t even doorknobs,” says Cecile. But she and her husband, John, saw potential in the timeworn home, as well as a chance to own a house they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford. “They dropped the rafters, cut it in half with a chainsaw, jacked it…

Ever a Surprise Penned by 18th-century French novelist Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, the long-cherished fairy tale Beauty and the Beast inspires this dreamy Valentine’s Day dinner. A candelabra-lined staircase leads the way to a gold-draped table for two, where the enchanted rose awaits under a glass dome—and the ageless love story begins anew. Menu Cream of Mushroom Soup Romaine Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette Steak au Poivre Mini Pommes Anna Creamy Orange Tart Cream of Mushroom Soup MAKES 4 CUPS 3 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces 1 pound assorted mushrooms, sliced ½ cup diced shallot 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper ¼ cup Madeira ½ cup heavy cream 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided Garnish: fresh thyme leaves, ground black pepper…

AN INSPIRED COLLECTION I always look forward to each issue of Southern Lady. I have subscribed to it for many years and have kept all of my past issues. Thank you for the wonderful recipes and decorating ideas! Yesterday I made the Apple Butter Pound Cake from your September 2015 issue [“Apple Pickin,’” page 105]. I took it to share as a dessert for some ladies in my Bible study group. It was delicious! I think it is the best pound cake recipe I’ve ever used. Write Now What is your favorite story or recipe from our latest issue? Whom would you like to see featured in our magazine? What are your favorite Southern destinations? We would love to hear from you! Send your letters by post for a chance…

It’s no secret that a fresh-flower arrangement can instantly elevate a room’s appearance, and it can do wonders for lifting our spirits, too—especially this time of year. A palette of sunny shades is just right for introducing cheer, while a classic blue-and-white container imparts a richness that suits the season. Start with clusters of yellow tulips, pale yellow spray roses, and Crème de la Crème roses, then finish with accents of Café Au Lait dahlias, dahlia buds, and spire-shaped Veronica. Include the cover-worthy display in a tray set for iced tea for two, and invite a dear friend to share the sunshine.…

BOUDIN GRILLED CHEESE BISCUIT Johnson’s boucaniere, Lafayette BLOODY MARY Spahr’s Seafood, Des Allemands CRAWFISH PIES Atchafalaya café, Morgan City C' EST WHAT? BOUDIN: (BOO-dahn) A savory mix of rice, pork liver and spices ground together and stuffed inside a sausage casing; a delicacy throughout Bayou Country. Near the Gulf, Cajuns add crawfish, alligator and other fresh seafood to their boudin. CHER: (shah) Cajun French for “dear” Often followed by “bébe” (bey-bey) and used as a term of endearment. GUMBO: A soup or stew native to Louisiana consisting of meat or shellfish, a thickener (roux or okra) and the holy trinity—bell pepper, onion and celery. COURTBOUILLON: (COO-be-yahn) A rich fish stew consisting of aromatics, lemon slices and a thick tomato sauce. JAMBALAYA: (juhm-buh-LIE-uh) A southeast Louisiana dish of Spanish influence, featuring…

Kimberly Schlegel Whitman can’t recall a time when she wasn’t smitten with monograms. In her new book, Monograms for the Home, the Dallas-based lifestyle and entertaining expert shares her passion for personalization and tips for giving it your own signature spin. A blend of history lesson, design workshop, and etiquette primer, the book details why a monogram is far more than the sum of its parts—and why Southerners, in particular, have such a love affair with letters. “In the South, we have a great amount of respect and affection for the generations before us,” Kimberly says. “Traditions have been upheld, and the items that are used to carry through those traditions feel special as well.” The author delves into the rise of monogram trends and conventions—from their use on ancient…

• Keep your house spotless, from door hardware to windows to countertops. Even the most humble place looks so much better if it’s clean. • In living rooms, dining rooms, and family rooms, use lamps where possible to create soft pools of light. They illuminate the room and make it so much softer and more ambient at night. • Make sure your family room and other areas where your family lives every day are durable. There are lots of great outdoor fabrics and wipe-off fabrics, such as washable suede. Don’t set up heavy-use areas for failure by making delicate or inappropriate choices; put things in there that can take the wear and tear. • Use fresh flowers and fresh greenery indoors whenever you can. They bring light and color and…

Atlanta hardly needs an introduction. A titan among world capitals, this massive metropolis forms the fulcrum not only of the state, but of the South as well. Yet spend a few days here, and its historic heart begins to shine through. The Atlanta History Center in Buckhead is an ideal point of entry into the city’s early years. Its crown jewel is the Swan House, a 1928 mansion that exudes grace and grandeur—from intricate marble flooring to the vintage china that bedecks the dining table. It’s a treat to stroll the gardens, a splendid expanse of foliage and fountains that culminates in a sweeping terraced lawn. Afterward, linger over lunch at the elegant Swan Coach House tea room. Also de rigueur is a visit to the Margaret Mitchell House and…

Rustic Beef Stew MAKES 8 SERVINGS ¼ cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon kosher salt 2 teaspoons ground black pepper 3- to 4-pound beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes 4 tablespoons canola oil 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled plum tomatoes, drained 1 (750-ml) bottle dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon 2 cups beef broth 4 cloves garlic, smashed 12 peeled baby carrots, green tops attached and trimmed 4 large parsnips, chopped 2 ribs celery, coarsely chopped 1 (10-ounce) bag pearl onions, peeled 2 cups baby golden potatoes 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary 1 cup steamed sugar snap peas, halved 1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large resealable bag, combine flour, salt, pepper, and beef. Seal bag; shake well. 2.…